The federal government has enacted two phases of legislation aimed at preventing substance abuse. The first phase, called The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, requires Knox College to establish a policy on drug use by employees, including student employees, and to take additional steps toward maintaining a drug-free workplace. The second phase of legislation, called The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, requires the College to implement a program aimed at preventing the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol. We have adopted policies and related programs, which comply with the legislation, as a prerequisite to receiving any federal funds, including grants, contracts, and participation in federally funded or guaranteed student loan programs.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in and on property owned or operated by Knox College. No College employee may report to or engage in college-related work while under the influence of illegal drugs.

Employees who are convicted of a violation of a criminal drug statute that occurred in the workplace must notify the College?s Personnel Office within five days of their conviction. Such a conviction will be grounds for mandatory evaluation and possible treatment for a substance abuse disorder and for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Failure to comply with the foregoing will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

The terms of this policy statement are conditions of employment at Knox.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Policy

Pursuant to the requirement of Public Law 101-226, Knox College issues the following statement regarding a drug-free school.

Prohibited Conduct

Knox College prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol by students and employees on College property or as any part of its activities.

Applicable Legal Sanctions

The Illinois Criminal Code classifies drug-related offenses (e.g. manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, engaging in a calculated criminal drug conspiracy, drug trafficking, unauthorized possession, etc.) as either Class A misdemeanors or Class 1, 2, 3, 4, or X felonies depending upon the severity and nature of the conduct. The following criminal penalties are applicable to the identified categories of offenses.

Category of Offense

Monetary Fines

Imprisonment

Class A Misdemeanor

$1,000

Up to 1 year

Class 4 Felony

$15,000

1 to 3 years

Class 3 Felony

Up to $150,000

2 to 4 years

Class 2 Felony

Up to $200,000

3 to 7 years

Class 1 Felony

Up to $250,000

4 to 15 years

Class X Felony

Up to $500,000

6 to 60 years

The law of the State of Illinois requires that persons be 21 years of age or older to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine. State law prohibits charging for alcoholic beverages without proper licensing arrangements. In addition, anyone under the age of 21 who receives or accepts liquor, even as a gift, or who borrows or defaces the identification of any person for the purpose of obtaining liquor, is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and is subject to penalties and fines of up to 30 days in jail and $500 (Chapter 43, Section 134a-Illinois Revised Statutes). A person injured by an intoxicated individual has the right to sue for damages the supplier of the liquor as well as the intoxicated individual (Chapter 43, Section 135-Illinois Revised Statutes).

The applicable Federal penalties and sanctions for illegal possession of a controlled substance are given on Table A, below.

The City of Galesburg controls and regulates the sale, possession, and distribution of alcohol according to Ordinance No. 84-940. Each of the following offenses is punishable by a monetary fine of $50 to $500: unlicensed sale, to minor, sale to minor by licensee, sale to incompetent persons by licensee, sale off premises by licensee, illegal possession/transportation, illegal possession/consumption by minor, unlawful purchase by minor, minor frequenting licensed premises, allowing minors to frequent, employment of minor, conduct on licensed premises, gambling on licensed premises, weapons, misrepresentation of age by minor, providing fraudulent identification.

Health Risks

The use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol may result in serious health consequences. A description of health risks associated with substances covered by the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811) is given on Table B below.

A summary description of health risks associated with alcohol is also given below.

Counseling, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Services

Employees and students are urged to seek assistance for drug and alcohol related problems. There are provisions in the College?s group health insurance plan to help with the expenses of such assistance for those who are insured. Students may seek assistance from either the College?s Counseling Center or some other qualified source. Additional information may be obtained from the Personnel Office or a member the Office of Student Development. Any inquiries will be treated confidentially.

Drug and alcohol counseling, treatment, or rehabilitation services are available in the community to students and employees.

College Sanctions and Penalties

Knox College employees or students found in violation of the prohibitions set forth under ?Prohibited Conduct? in this Section will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal, suspension, or termination and possible referral for prosecution. Each case will be evaluated on an individual basis. It is possible a disciplinary sanction may include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program.

Biennial Policy Review

Knox College will review this policy biennially to determine its effectiveness and to recommend changes in the program to the President if they are needed. Such a review will also determine that the College?s disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.

Health Risks Associated with Alcohol

Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person?s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described.

Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol particularly, when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics. (What Works: Schools Without Drugs, 1989 edition).